Marketing Tactics

New York City -- Dylan’s Candy Bar has opened an outpost in Marriott’s Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, Calif.

With its bright turquoise walls with a candy-coated ceiling, custom candy-themed light fixtures and signature “Whirly Pop” Tree with its branches of lickable lollipops and candy-inspired apparel and accessories, the shop is modeled after Dylan’s Manhattan flagship. Other Dylan’s stores are located in East Hampton and Roosevelt Field, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; and Houston.

New York City -- Many retailers surprised with solid January revenue reporting on Thursday, despite snowstorms that raged across the country during the month.

The reports, many of which surpassed Wall Street expectations, offer encouragement that strength in consumer spending is continuing after a merry holiday season.
 
Costco Wholesale Corp, Victoria's Secret parent Limited Brands and teen retailer Wet Seal were among those that beat analyst expectations. Target, however, lagged, behind.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Gap Inc. has announced a series of significant management and organizational changes at Gap brand designed to drive more consistent results in North America and to provide a new and dynamic creative leadership structure that will deliver sustainable global growth. The changes are effective immediately.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Staples Inc. announced that it will showcase its enhanced focus on new technologies and services in its retail stores with a new television spot airing regionally during the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. 

NEW YORK -- Banana Republic announced that as part of its spring 2011 marketing campaign, "Journey in Style," it will debut its first film trailer in select movie theaters and online. The campaign will also be featured in other media including print and store displays.

Developed with AR NEW YORK, Banana Republic's advertising agency of record, the campaign will appear in March publications, supplemented by print, outdoor, online and direct mail. The campaign will debut in store windows beginning Feb. 14.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced that the Walmart Foundation committing more than $750,000 in cash and in-kind donations to support emergency relief efforts in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where an estimated 827 people have been killed and thousands have been left homeless following torrential rains and mudslides. A $400,000 donation from the Walmart Foundation will help purchase critical supplies like water, food, medical supplies and long-term relief efforts.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Procter & Gamble and Target have teamed up to offer customers savings on a number of products designed to help them keep those fitness resolutions. 

New York City -- Gap announced a series of changes to help revive its struggling namesake division, which hasn't posted a gain on an annual basis since 2004. The company has tapped the head of its outlet division, Art Peck, to replace Marka Hansen as leader of the Gap brand for North America, effective immediately. Peck is credited with growing the company’s highly-profitable Outlet business for the past three years. He also has been a primary architect of the company’s franchise business and international growth platform.

New York City -- Teen retailers Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Aeropostale and American Eagle Outfitters will stop reporting monthly sales after Thursday.

Many retail executives say reporting sales from stores open at least a year puts too much focus on short-term results. 
 

The Chicco brand of baby gear hit Target stores this week with three key items featured in the retailer’s weekly ad. Those same items were then called out in stores with red placards the size of album covers, in case anyone remembers what those were, that featured the advertised sales price. The items featured included a Chicco Cortina travel system for $260, a highchair for $130 and a playpen for $160.